Titaron Photocatalyst Coating FAQ

Your questions answered!

What is a catalyst?

In chemistry, a catalyst changes the rate of a chemical reaction, while it is not consumed by the reaction itself.

In a chemical reaction molecules and atoms form bonds or disconnect and these processes may be accelerated or facilitated by a catalyst. A catalyst 'makes things happen', without being changed by the process.

Titaron is a photocatalyst coating. What is a photocatalyst?

A photocatalyst is a substance that generates catalyst activity using energy from light. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the typical material, and TiO2 microparticles are the active material in Titaron. What happens when light energy affects titanium dioxide? More on that below.

As well as accelerating chemical reactions like a regular catalyst, a titanium dioxide-treated surface becomes hydrophilic (attracting water molecules) due to the reaction with light.

What is titanium dioxide?

Titanium dioxide is a white powder that is most widely used as a pigment, as well as being used in cosmetic products, in the production of paper and as a food additive. Titanium atoms are relatively abundant on the earth’s surface (it’s the 10th most abundant element), so there are very few resource or environmental issues related to it.

More information about Titanium dioxide is available on the Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association website here.

What is Titaron?

Titaron is a patented Titanium dioxide photocatalytic coating solution developed by Dr. Tatsuhiko Ihara of Kindai University in Japan. Titaron consists of treated titanium dioxide microparticles suspended in water, which can be sprayed onto a surface with a spray bottle or a powered spray gun, without leaving any unwanted residue. 

In its natural state Titanium dioxide only demonstrates photocatalytic activity in ultraviolet light, ie sunlight.

Due to its patented treatment process Titaron performs as an active photocatalyst in the light spectrum of 380nm to 550nm, which makes it effective under indoor lighting as well as natural light.

What does Titaron do?

Titaron keeps treated surfaces clean and hygienic, and removes odors, microbes, airborne particles and dangerous volatile organic chemicals from indoor and enclosed spaces, purifying the air and making those spaces safer. 

How does Titaron clean the air?

Naturally!

When light is absorbed by Titanium dioxide, simple short-lived molecules called ‘hydroxyl radicals’ are formed at the surface.

Scientists like to be exact with their definitions and a hydroxyl radical is described as a 'highly reactive and unstable chemical species'. 

Put like that it sounds slightly worrisome, but it's not. A 'chemical species' is simply a class of substance (water is a chemical species) and the fact that this particular chemical species, the hydroxyl radical, is reactive and unstable works to our advantage.

A hydroxyl radical (also called 'OH radicals') consists of one hydrogen atom (H) and one oxygen atom (O) bonded together. 

OH radicals are often referred to as the "detergent of the atmosphere" due to their ability to oxidize and break down various organic pollutants in the environment. They are most commonly generated in the Earth's atmosphere by the reaction between excited oxygen molecules and water vapor.

In nature, hydroxyl radicals play a vital role in the Earth's atmosphere as they act as a key agent in the removal of pollutants and greenhouse gases. They have a high reactivity and can quickly react with and oxidize a wide range of organic compounds, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrocarbons, and other pollutants. This oxidation process breaks down the organic molecules into simpler and less harmful substances, such as carbon dioxide, water, and other byproducts.

In your home, as air circulates and comes into contact with a Titaron-treated surface, light energy striking the surface generates hydroxyl radicals that remove and neutralize contaminants in the room.

The photocatalytic effect is proportional to the amount of light (especially ultraviolet light) and the extent of the area which receives light. The effect takes place close to the surface, which is safe to the touch and remains unchanged by the process.

How much light is needed to make it work?

Titanium dioxide gains catalytic ability by absorbing light, so it needs exposure to light to be effective. The photocatalytic effect is strongest in direct sunlight, that is, ultraviolet light with a wavelength shorter than 400 nm (the shorter the wavelength of light, the more energy it has).

The more light energy the Titaron-treated surface receives, the more OH radicals it will generate. Their oxidizing effect can be very strong! The oxidization of surface contaminants can be more effective than that of a commercial bleach. The power of OH radicals to decompose organic matter is actually stronger than ozone or chlorine:

OH radical: +2.80 V
O3 (ozone): +2.07 V
Cl2 (chlorine): +1.36 V

Better yet, hydroxyl radicals are invisible, odorless and completely safe. 

A surface that receives direct sunlight will clean more effectively. The photocatalytic process becomes more gentle with less light. 

Importantly, patented Titaron has been developed to generate OH radicals under visible light. A gentle photocatalytic effect will occur under artificial light sources – fluorescent light, incandescent light and LED light.

What effects can be expected from a Titaron-treated space?

Clean surfaces. Titaron causes oxidative decomposition of matter on a surface, so it can remove organic contaminants and odorous components (like oil and cigarette smoke particles) that have reached its surface and would otherwise settle and accumulate. So walls and ceiling will remain clean, bright and odor-free even when exposed to years of tobacco smoke or nearby food preparation.

No smells. The process of photocatalysis is effective at removing odor molecules from the air, so unwanted odors in your house, workplace or car will disappear, providing a more liveable environment.

Safer spaces. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can cause a host of immediate and longer term health issues are neutralized, resulting in greatly improved indoor air quality and improved health outcomes.

Fewer allergic triggers. Allergic reactions will be reduced. Hydroxyl radicals generated by photocatalysis modify the protein structures of pollens, spores, dust mite debris and pet dander. These allergens are no longer recognised by the immune system and therefore histamine and other chemical mediators are not released.

Is Titaron toxic? Will I be breathing it in?

No, Titaron is a non-toxic material and you will not be breathing it in. 

Once water-based Titaron titanium dioxide solution is sprayed onto a surface, the water evaporates and the titanium dioxide molecules bond with the surface to remain there. There is no odor and no particles will be released from the treated surface over time. The Titaron coating will act as an air and surface cleaner while remaining unaffected.

What surfaces can I spray with Titaron?

In your home and workplace, you can treat most walls, your ceiling, carpets, fabric, soft furnishings and furniture. It is highly suitable for treating curtains and blinds.

Clean surfaces that are subject to contamination through cooking, smoke, tire dust and other airborne contaminants will remain clean due to the photocatalytic action of Titaron. Titaron is ideal for fabrics and wallpaper, as well as stone, ceramics, metal and other natural surfaces.

The process of photocatalysis keeps surfaces clean by decomposing organic particles that would otherwise adhere to them.

Titaron is also highly effective in outdoor settings, for example home exteriors and outdoor furniture, with airborne contaminants washed away with water (rain) by its hydrophilicity.

How long does the effect last? 

For surfaces that are not subject to friction, one spray treatment will provide a permanent effect.

A curtain sprayed with Titaron will remain effective for the life of the curtain. If wallpaper is treated then it will clean the air in your room until you put up new wallpaper.

For high-friction settings, for example a cloth driver's seat in a vehicle driven daily or a bus seat, a monthly spray treatment is recommended. The bonding properties of titanium dioxide to fabrics is very strong, but a seat subject to constant friction may see a loss of the photocatalytic effect over time. For surfaces that are not touched the effect of Titaron is permanent.

Does spraying with Titaron leave a visible film on the treated surface?

In almost all scenarios there is no visible change to the treated surface. Titaron consists of microparticles of treated titanium dioxide that are invisible to the naked eye.

Because Titaron is a water-based solution, when applied onto a surface like wallpaper or fabric with a fine mist spray it will be invisible when the water evaporates.

How much Titaron do I need?

One 50ml bottle is sufficient to treat 6m². One 50ml bottle is enough to treat a standard toilet space, which will not only neutralize airborne odor molecules in an ongoing process of deodorization but will also break down any bacteria and other pathogens that may be released in the so-called 'aerosol plume', the cloud of vapour particles released in the flushing action. This vapor cloud may carry bacteria and other pathogens that will settle in your toilet space. Hint for young players: flush with the lid down. Spray with Titaron for backup.

A 50ml bottle is ideal for treating sports gear such as helmets and protective wear that's subject to perspiration and may begin to smell over time. Work helmets, sports helmets, bicycle helmets - sit them in sunshine when not in use to keep them fresh.

50ml is also sufficient to treat a family of bicycles. Bicycles that are stored outdoors accumulate dust and dirt, but thanks to the hydrophilic properties of Titaron these will wash away in the rain and the bikes will remain clean. Rental bicycles in Japanese cities are treated with titanium dioxide coatings. Ever noticed how clean they are?

One 100ml bottle is sufficient to treat 12m². Spray your toilet space twice!  Or, treat the interior of your car or van. If you are a smoker or transport odorous materials then a spray coating of Titaron will deodorize your vehicle naturally. Pet owners, smokers, taxi and ride-hail owners and funeral companies will all enjoy the benefits of safe, natural removal of odor and chemical molecules from the enclosed space of your vehicle. 

A 100ml bottle of Titaron will be sufficient for most caravans, campers and vans. No more funky smells in your mobile living space!

(Remember - these spaces requires light for Titaron to be effective, so treatment of enclosed delivery areas and trunks won't see any benefit.)

One 500ml bottle is sufficient to treat 60m². One 500ml bottle of Titaron can provide coverage for a room of around 20 square metres, assuming one door and a window with curtains.

Is one spray coating enough?

Yes, but spraying twice will increase the effectiveness of Titaron and ensure more consistent coverage.

Will Titaron clean my dirty walls?

No, Titaron is not a chemical cleaner.

If you have tobacco-stained walls and ceilings, if there is an oily residue present on surfaces, if there is mold or tire dust on your exterior walls, Titaron will not remove them (although it will counter associated odors). If these dirty surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and treated with Titaron, they will remain clean with no further accumulation of contaminants.

Clean surfaces that are treated with Titaron will prevent the accumulation of these contaminants through the process of photocatalysis and thanks to its hydrophilic properties.

Titaron kills germs. Can I use it on my door handles?

Titaron will kill germs and viruses through the photocatalytic process. However, titanium dioxide does not have strong bonding properties with metals and will be removed by friction. So Titaron on a door handle will soon be rubbed off. We recommend alcohol spray to keep door handles hygienic.

The interior of my car smells of tobacco. Can Titaron really remove those odors?

Yes. Titaron is particularly effective when used in cars with fabric upholstery. You can spray your cloth seats, carpets and headliner. Avoid spraying hard plastics, leather seats, wooden dashboards and glass.

We recommend purchasing a carpet dashboard liner and treating this with Titaron. You will maximize the photocatalytic effect of light through the windscreen.

Are you living the van life? Do you transport your pets in the back of your wagon? Titaron will help you maintain a clean, odor-free drive.

My work helmet smells awful. Will Titaron help?

Yes. Spray the interior of your helmet and when not working sit it in the sun. Straps and other perspiration-soaked parts will be neutralized naturally by light.

Can I treat my sons's sports gear?

Spray Titaron on sports helmets, pads and other protective gear that is subject to perspiration and difficult to wash. Sit these in the sun to neutralize odors.

I treated my curtains with Titaron. Can I wash them?

Yes, Titaron bonds to the fibres of the cloth and will not be removed by washing or chemical cleaning.

Will Titaron work in my musty cupboard?

Titaron needs light energy to work, so in a dark cupboard, no. For cupboards installed with a light source, yes, with the effectiveness directly related to the amount of light and the length of exposure.

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